Religion briefs for Sept. 28

Published: Saturday, September 28, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, September 27, 2013 at 5:04 p.m.

Grace Lutheran to honor diversity in October

During October, the public is invited to Grace Lutheran Church at the corner of Sixth Avenue West and Blythe Street in Hendersonville for special events in celebration of National Hispanic American Heritage Month. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America also is observing Global Church Sunday and honoring ethnic diversity.

- 8:15, 9:45 and 11:15 a.m. Oct. 13: Ethnic Diversity Sunday will be celebrated at all three morning worship services. The final service will include Scripture readings in English and Spanish. Pastor Oviedo will preach in all three worship services on “Crossing the Border … Between Samaria and Galilee,” based on the lectionary Gospel reading, Luke 17:11-19.

- 12:30 p.m. Oct. 13: Following the final morning service, there will be a luncheon sponsored by the youth of Grace that will feature authentic Mexican food. A voluntary love offering is suggested to support the youth missions program, and registration is necessary. Registration deadline is Oct. 8.

Call 828-693-4890 for more information.

First Methodist to host healing service

First United Methodist Church of Hendersonville at 204 Sixth Ave. W. will host a special service of healing and remembrance at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 6.

The service will honor families dealing with Alzheimer's, dementia and other mental afflictions.

The community is invited to the sanctuary for a short service with familiar hymns and special prayers for caregivers and care receivers and for those who have lost friends and family due to mental afflictions.

Blessing of animals set at Grace Lutheran

The Youth of Grace Lutheran Church will host a Blessing of the Animals service at 6 p.m. Oct. 6 in the outdoor area by the front entrance of the church, corner of Sixth Avenue West and Blythe Street in Hendersonville.

All members of the community are welcome to bring pets of all kinds for a blessing.

The service of the blessing of the animals is often held in conjunction with St. Francis of Assisi's feast day on Friday. The spirit of the service is one of thanksgiving as those gathered acknowledge and rejoice in God's creation.

Call 828-693-4890 for more information.

Smart Start plans faith summit Oct. 15

Smart Start of Henderson County is working with Smart Start Partnerships in Western North Carolina to host the First 2000 Days Faith Summit from 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Oct. 15 at Second Baptist Church, 191 Green St., Rutherfordton.

The summit brings together faith leaders, community leaders and early child care experts to discuss the critical role places of worship play in building a strong foundation for learning and health for North Carolina's youngest residents.

Summit attendees will discuss the significance of early child development and how places of worship can help children to have the opportunity to grow into happy, successful and contributing adults. Additionally, each summit will host a discussion panel with representatives from community colleges, local places of worship and child-development organizations.

Transportation and lunch will be provided. RSVP to Erica Woodall by calling 828-693-1580 or email erica@smart starthc.org.

Reformation Presbyterian Church to mark 15th anniversary

An invitation is extended to the community to attend the special worship service with a reception following. There will be activities set up outside for the children.

Reformation Church was founded in the fall of 1998 by a group of people from various churches in the area. Members say the congregation has grown spiritually as well as numerically.

At this anniversary, the church remembers with gratitude the generosity of Cliff Shipman, who gave the congregation the church building on the corner of Church Street and Seventh Avenue free and clear in 1999. His only condition was that it be restored “to the way it used to be.”

The church also extends thanks to the Bonclarken Conference Center and Pinecrest Presbyterian Church, which so graciously offered the use of their facilities until the congregation was able to purchase and renovate the former banquet hall next to the church in 2000.

It was renamed Kirkside Hall (meaning “alongside the church”), and now houses the fellowship hall, Sunday school rooms, library and offices.

The renovation of the sanctuary was completed in 2007.

Call 828-698-3536 for more information.

St. James offers adult outreach classes

Adult Christian Formation continues with classes in Christian outreach on Sundays from 10:15 to 11:10 a.m. through Nov. 17 at St. James Episcopal Church, 766 N. Main St., Hendersonville.

In the Gospel of John, Christians are told that Jesus sends them into the world as he was sent by God, but what does it mean to reach out to the world in the spirit of Jesus? The series will explore the biblical and theological foundations of outreach and the specific and practical ways that this outreach takes form in people's lives.

Guest panelists from the community will speak about issues of social justice, the struggles of young people and the challenges faced by the elderly in our society.

Jonathan Stepp, who has a master's in divinity, will facilitate the classes and draw on his experience of pastoral ministry in an inner-city environment where these issues are a daily reality.

Visitors and members of the community are invited to attend the 9 a.m. or 11:15 a.m. Eucharist. Nursery care is provided.

Call 828-693-7458 for more information.

Wendy Jones Quartet at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Oct. 12

Wendy Jones Quartet will perform at 7 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Hendersonville at the corner of Kanuga Road and Price Street.

Accompanied by Michael Jefry Stevens on piano, James Simmons on bass and Rick Dilling on drums, Jones will perform not only jazz, but also some favorite romantic standards.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Home-baked goodies will be available during intermission.

Tickets may be obtained at the door for a suggested donation of $15; the proceeds benefit the fellowship's ongoing programs and projects.

<p class="bold allcaps">Grace Lutheran to honor diversity in October</p>
<p>During October, the public is invited to Grace Lutheran Church at the corner of Sixth Avenue West and Blythe Street in Hendersonville for special events in celebration of National Hispanic American Heritage Month. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America also is observing Global Church Sunday and honoring ethnic diversity.</p><p>The events include:</p><p>- 5:45 p.m. Wednesday: A short Hispanic Culture immersion experience facilitated by the Rev. Alfredo M. Oviedo, associate pastor at Grace Lutheran and a native of Mexico.</p><p>- 8:15, 9:45 and 11:15 a.m. Oct. 13: Ethnic Diversity Sunday will be celebrated at all three morning worship services. The final service will include Scripture readings in English and Spanish. Pastor Oviedo will preach in all three worship services on “Crossing the Border … Between Samaria and Galilee,” based on the lectionary Gospel reading, Luke 17:11-19.</p><p>- 12:30 p.m. Oct. 13: Following the final morning service, there will be a luncheon sponsored by the youth of Grace that will feature authentic Mexican food. A voluntary love offering is suggested to support the youth missions program, and registration is necessary. Registration deadline is Oct. 8.</p><p>Call 828-693-4890 for more information.</p><h3>First Methodist to host healing service</h3>
<p>First United Methodist Church of Hendersonville at 204 Sixth Ave. W. will host a special service of healing and remembrance at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 6.</p><p>The service will honor families dealing with Alzheimer's, dementia and other mental afflictions.</p><p>The community is invited to the sanctuary for a short service with familiar hymns and special prayers for caregivers and care receivers and for those who have lost friends and family due to mental afflictions.</p><p>Call 828-693-4275, Ext. 106; email anniehvlfumc.org for more information.</p><h3>Blessing of animals set at Grace Lutheran</h3>
<p>The Youth of Grace Lutheran Church will host a Blessing of the Animals service at 6 p.m. Oct. 6 in the outdoor area by the front entrance of the church, corner of Sixth Avenue West and Blythe Street in Hendersonville.</p><p>All members of the community are welcome to bring pets of all kinds for a blessing.</p><p>The service of the blessing of the animals is often held in conjunction with St. Francis of Assisi's feast day on Friday. The spirit of the service is one of thanksgiving as those gathered acknowledge and rejoice in God's creation.</p><p>Call 828-693-4890 for more information.</p><h3>Smart Start plans faith summit Oct. 15</h3>
<p>Smart Start of Henderson County is working with Smart Start Partnerships in Western North Carolina to host the First 2000 Days Faith Summit from 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Oct. 15 at Second Baptist Church, 191 Green St., Rutherfordton.</p><p>The summit brings together faith leaders, community leaders and early child care experts to discuss the critical role places of worship play in building a strong foundation for learning and health for North Carolina's youngest residents.</p><p>Summit attendees will discuss the significance of early child development and how places of worship can help children to have the opportunity to grow into happy, successful and contributing adults. Additionally, each summit will host a discussion panel with representatives from community colleges, local places of worship and child-development organizations.</p><p>Transportation and lunch will be provided. RSVP to Erica Woodall by calling 828-693-1580 or email erica@smart starthc.org.</p><h3>Reformation Presbyterian Church to mark 15th anniversary</h3>
<p>Reformation Presbyterian Church at 120 Seventh Ave. W., Hendersonville, (Associate Reformed Presbyterian Synod) will celebrate the 15th anniversary of its founding at 10:45 a.m. Oct. 6.</p><p>An invitation is extended to the community to attend the special worship service with a reception following. There will be activities set up outside for the children.</p><p>Reformation Church was founded in the fall of 1998 by a group of people from various churches in the area. Members say the congregation has grown spiritually as well as numerically.</p><p>At this anniversary, the church remembers with gratitude the generosity of Cliff Shipman, who gave the congregation the church building on the corner of Church Street and Seventh Avenue free and clear in 1999. His only condition was that it be restored “to the way it used to be.”</p><p>The church also extends thanks to the Bonclarken Conference Center and Pinecrest Presbyterian Church, which so graciously offered the use of their facilities until the congregation was able to purchase and renovate the former banquet hall next to the church in 2000.</p><p>It was renamed Kirkside Hall (meaning “alongside the church”), and now houses the fellowship hall, Sunday school rooms, library and offices.</p><p>The renovation of the sanctuary was completed in 2007.</p><p>Call 828-698-3536 for more information.</p><h3>St. James offers adult outreach classes</h3>
<p>Adult Christian Formation continues with classes in Christian outreach on Sundays from 10:15 to 11:10 a.m. through Nov. 17 at St. James Episcopal Church, 766 N. Main St., Hendersonville.</p><p>In the Gospel of John, Christians are told that Jesus sends them into the world as he was sent by God, but what does it mean to reach out to the world in the spirit of Jesus? The series will explore the biblical and theological foundations of outreach and the specific and practical ways that this outreach takes form in people's lives.</p><p>Guest panelists from the community will speak about issues of social justice, the struggles of young people and the challenges faced by the elderly in our society.</p><p>Jonathan Stepp, who has a master's in divinity, will facilitate the classes and draw on his experience of pastoral ministry in an inner-city environment where these issues are a daily reality.</p><p>Visitors and members of the community are invited to attend the 9 a.m. or 11:15 a.m. Eucharist. Nursery care is provided.</p><p>Call 828-693-7458 for more information.</p><h3>Wendy Jones Quartet at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Oct. 12</h3>
<p>Wendy Jones Quartet will perform at 7 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Hendersonville at the corner of Kanuga Road and Price Street.</p><p>Accompanied by Michael Jefry Stevens on piano, James Simmons on bass and Rick Dilling on drums, Jones will perform not only jazz, but also some favorite romantic standards.</p><p>Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Home-baked goodies will be available during intermission.</p><p>Tickets may be obtained at the door for a suggested donation of $15; the proceeds benefit the fellowship's ongoing programs and projects.</p>